Improvement in fodder-forks



W. M. SCOTTEN.

FODDER-FORK.

No.180,9.40, Patented Aug. 8,1876.

BY ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. FHOTO-IJTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

UNTTED STATES PATENT CFFIO'E.

WILLIAM M. 'SOOTTEN, OF HALL, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FODDER-FORKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 $0,940, dated August 8, 1876; application filed May 9, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. Soo'rTEN, of Hall, Morgan county, Indiana, have invented a new and Improved Fodder-Fork, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a side view of my improved fork open, and Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same closed. I

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved fork for handling fodder, loose straw, and other similar substances, which shall be simple in construction, and convenient in use, enabling the substance to be firmly grasped and securely held while being handled.

The invention consists in the fork formed of the slightly-curved prong and the hookprong, pivoted to each other, and provided with the half-round handles, as hereinafter fully described.

A and B are the two prongs or tines of the fork, which are pivoted to each other at their bases. The prong A is slightly bent, and the prong B is made longer, and its point is bent inward into hook form, so that when brought together the points of the two prongs may meet. To the shanks or bases of the prongs A B are attached the handles 0 D, which are made half-round, so that when brought together they may form a round handle, as shown in Fig. 2, and so that the gripe upon the said handles may hold the prongs together.

In using the fork, the prongs are opened, as shown in Fig. 1; the prong A is then thrust into the load, the hook-prong B is closed upon it, and the load is taken to the desired place.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The fork formed of the slightly curved prong A and the hook-prong B, pivoted to each other, and provided with the half-round handles 0 D, substantially as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM M. SGO'ITEN.

Witnesses:

JAs. H. BROWN, MICHAEL CALLAHAN. 

